Mexican Pottery

Study Mexican pottery and its importance to Mexican culture. Create a basket-weave pot with Crayola® Model Magic.

• 1.

  Look at samples and pictures of ancient and contemporary Mexican pottery. Describe the designs and shapes. What modeling techniques do you think were used to construct the pottery? How might these pots have been used?

• 2.

  Roll two colors of Crayola Model Magic into two long ropes about 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) pieces. Use a ruler and craft stick to measure and cut each rope into half-inch pieces.

• 3.

  Alternate yellow and red pieces in a row. Mold them together in one rope with damp fingers.

• 4.

  Carefully coil the rope into a circle about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. Continue to coil upwards three times around, getting narrower each time, to form a base. Use fingers to pinch and smooth seams inside the base.

• 5.

  Continue to coil above the base in a wider and wider circumferences, pinching and smoothing seams, until all the Model Magic rope is used.

• 6.

  Flatten red Model Magic into a thin sheet. Carefully smooth the sheet inside the coiled tureen. Dry 24 hours.

Benefits

• Students research and observe Mexican pottery to discover its importance to Mexican culture. Use artifacts as sources of ideas to create replicas.
• Students use problem-solving skills while using modeling material to create a basket-weave pot.

Adaptations

• Children use their problem-solving skills while creating their pottery. How might Mexican potters have solved similar problems?
• Create a second, original piece of pottery trying new techniques with Model Magic. Use simple tools like rolling pins, combs, and pencils to shape pottery forms.
• Research various pottery-making methods used in Mexico and elsewhere, both historically and today.
• Younger children and special needs students may benefit from short practice sessions experimenting with modeling techniques before participating in this activity.